A community hero from Oldham who emigrated to the UK in 2007 has said his whole family in Pakistan are celebrating after spotting him at the King’s coronation.

Qamar Nawaz, 38, from Hollins, was invited to the coronation of King Charles III, after being awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for his services to the community during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Qamar, who lived in Stockport before moving to Oldham two years ago, played a key role in helping residents in his community during the pandemic through the Bramhall Helping Hand network.

The network consisted of close to 2,000 volunteers who delivered food and prescriptions to residents isolating at home across 200 streets.

Qamar also raised £7,000 for Chelwood Food Bank and £15,000 worth of food donations.

The 38-year-old father-of-four said his family are celebrating after catching him on TV in the same frame as the King and Queen during the coronation.

“My family is really proud. I’m normally not a big sharer but because it was on the tele my whole family back in Pakistan watched it.

“They spotted me with my medal on in the same frame as the King and Queen.

“In my village people have gone to my family’s home and congratulated them. All of my family are celebrating.

“It’s been going in newspapers back home. Getting a civil award from the royal family in Britain is such a big deal for them. The royal family is an inspiration for many”, he said.

The Oldham Times: Qamar Nawaz with the first minister of Scotland Humza Yousaf outside Westminster Abbey Qamar Nawaz with the first minister of Scotland Humza Yousaf outside Westminster Abbey (Image: Qamar Nawaz)

When Qamar moved to Oldham, he took on the role as manager of the Co-op store in Lees but has now been transferred following the store’s closure.

Whilst at the Lees store, he helped raise funds for underprivileged children in the community and got involved in local charity projects.

Last year he joined forces with Sarah Tate, also from Lees, to help raise funds to provide medical equipment for 11-year-old Tehyah Solan-Clarke who suffers from a rare genetic disease GACI (Generalised Arterial Calcification in Infancy).

He has also helped community champion Sally Maher, from Lees, collect Easter eggs to deliver to vulnerable adults and children.

Qamar said he felt “honoured” to attend the coronation and proud to represent his community in Oldham and Pakistan and hopes he will inspire others.

“Wherever you live you serve the community. Anything I do I though I also feel that I am representing my Pakistani community.”

“Whenever I do community work, I try and get other people involved.

“Inspiring and motivating younger generations and other people is the best thing we can give back to our community,” he said.